Last Caterpillar

Well, we're down to our last caterpillar...

(cause all the rest are already in their chrysalides) I took that pic above an hour ago - now I'm ready to head to bed, but this guy will be changing any minute now. I've been in here collecting milkweed seeds from the pods I've collected as I listened to this Hello Saints guy be interviewed. I found his channel thanks to the YouTube algorithm. I like it. As I listened, I called and let the kids know "It's your last chance to see a caterpillar molt!" but no one came. I didn't push it. 

We've all seen it before, but I still find it amazing though! ...and a little stressful... I haven't had any of them fall, but it seems, to me, like hanging upside down by your toes and shedding off your skin is a bit of a risky position to be in... I'm amazed that they just happen to have a little velcro peg (cremaster) that had grown inside their body and comes out of their abdomen to grab onto the silk pad to catch them from falling to certain death in their soft and vulnerable state. Pretty amazing programming code that went into these little creatures. Just the luck of evolution? That would be pretty amazing luck indeed, but I don't buy it. There is a Creator and Grand Designer behind all the amazing things in this world - from snowflakes to rainbows, fall colors to caterpillars, not to mention the amazing human body that comes in the package of beautiful babies! 

I spent part of the evening reclaiming the laundry room desk. I moved the caterpillars inside on Wednesday cause the wind was crazy. It was blowing over empty garbage bins in the street, so these guys would have been goners. So I put them back in the laundry room on Wednesday and they've been in there... I have kept the window open. It's not too cold outside, but hopefully they're still getting cues from mother nature that it's time to migrate, even though I have them inside. I recently ordered some official monarch supplies - floral tubes for the milkweed and a peg rack to hold them, and a large cage. 

It's been working very well. I have a plastic thing to catch the frass, but the cake lid from Natalie's birthday is still in there too and I'll be keeping that in storage for next year. I've been putting things away...

What will I do with my time now that monarch season is almost over? Haha, I'll start to catch up on the house that I've been neglecting since July. We'll have a few days of releasing butterflies over the next 2 weeks, but now all the hard work is done. We will enjoy a few more weeks of biking in the lovely fall weather. The elementary kids didn't have school today, cause of PTCs yesterday, so it was a teacher work day. So after I took Lily to jazz band, I came home and Corey and I went out for a ride up the canyon. When we came around a corner and I saw the mountain, I about fell off my bike - 

I yelled "WOW!!! Look at that!" and anyone seeing me might have though I was seeing a comet or UFO. No, it was just the AMAZING fall colors on the mountain. HOLY COW it was amazing. 

It invigorated my soul and put wind in my sails - I was ready for the last few hills and their tricky rocks. Corey was ahead of me. I was thinking that if I followed his line, I might make it over any tricky spots. Psyching myself up I said "Show me where to go!" His simple reply - "UP." "Noooo..." Up up and up the mountain. Up the hill, over the obstacles. Work work work. It's a bumpy ride, but we can do it. “The road ahead will always be bumpy, but the destination will be serene and secure. So, fasten your seat belt, hang on through the bumps, and do what’s right, and your rewards will be eternal.” - President Nelson. I'm sure there will also be beautiful picturesque moments along the way - 

I passed some rock obstacles that I hadn't gotten over before. Yay, I'm improving! I made it all the way up to the top of Lisa Falls. Can you see the ruins behind us?

It's a beautiful world. It was a great way to start the day. Carpool, a bit of cleaning, K had a 4 month well visit and I also finally went to get a few copies of her birth certificate. Date night tonight at Blue Lemon, I got my usual (Mediterranean salad with shrimp and dressing on the side). We are so excited for this weekend - it's General Conference! Time to nourish our souls with hours of hearing the uplifting messages and the word of God, so excited, goodnight!

Fall Conferences

After the elementary kids got home from school, I took them back over for parent teacher conferences. I've gotten good at making sure I schedule their appointments one after another. I had them D 4:15, O 4:30, N 5:00, and S 5:15. We got there ready with time to wait before Daniel's appointment, so we all went out to the kindergarten playground. Natalie took the opportunity to teach Daniel about how to increase his coolness factor on the playground. 

I recorded her advice in an instructional short video here. Cute. I took pictures of the kids and all of their inspiring work in the hallways. Owen pointing to his panda and Toucan.

And a word cloud creation all about Owen.

Natalie and a drawing of herself 

Sophi drew a picture and wrote about her summer rafting trip.

"This summer, me, five other family members, and two other families went with the Felix's to go rafting on the Salmon River in Idaho. It took us 12 hours to get up there! When we finally got there, we went down to the river to set all the rafting stuff up. We also set up our camp. The next day we unpacked, and were off. At one stop, we went to the hot springs! Whenever we stopped for lunch, we fought in the river. I didn't like how we packed and unpacked everyday! Our clothes also smelled horrible. We played "Mr. President!" So fun! My dad brought water guns so whenever there was calm water, we shot, pulled, shoved, and threw each other out of the boat! It was scary when Brother Morgan fell out of the raft. But cliff jumping..." Oh darn, I just realized there's a whole other page behind that one! I'll have to type that up when she brings this back home from off the school wall.

We went by the book fair after conference, which I always hate cause I don't want to buy them anything there and I kinda hate that they create all this pressure for parents with the "book fair" and "books and bagels" stuff to get the kids to want everything. So, my strategy for the past few years has been to ask them what they want, I'll take a picture of it (which I did) and I tell them I can order it all online if they want it and I'll get it for them for Christmas* (*if they are still thinking about it or want it! Ha, and that's how I get out of most of it) Peter did like this spiderman book. 

And so I took that picture and a few more and we walked our purchase free and yay, we were done, another successful elementary Parent Teacher Conferences done. 

Back at home, Katharine being sweet and lovely, as always. She's almost 4 months old. 

What else happened at home today? Peter slept through the night last night! It is a rare and welcome treat! 

Around lunch time, I was at the kitchen table reading and stuff, But then I got distracted by watching Peter play with his legos. 

Super cute. 

I took a video and I was glad that it didn't distract him from his game.

So cute. And Natalie's been working on her Halloween Costume options. Today she's thinking she might be a farmer. I'm sure it will change tomorrow!

Butterfly update - I know my friend says we should keep them outside, but it's just so windy and starting to get cold - I've had two of them look like they are dying by morning. They might have OE? maybe I should separate them, but they're fine when they're inside. I should probably not mess with nature, but I am and I brought them in tonight. They'll be j-hooking soon and I'll put them back outside when they are chrysalides. 

Peter Stuff

Yesterday in our phone call with Hyrum, he let us know that "tomorrow" (today) he's been in California for one year! I wouldn't say that it's gone fast, but I'm glad that time has passed without it being painful having him no here. Joseph was hard, being our first, but it's gone by faster with the other kids. I guess it's easy to say that though once they are back home. I like having them here. I am pretty sure that Wesley will still be here next year when Hyrum gets home, so I'm looking forward to getting some family pictures taken next fall. 

I took two videos of Peter hanging out of the bed with me today (I was feeding Katharine) - 

He was so cute telling me about all his legos. and here's another one. I liked the Spiderman hanging out/flying around upside down on the spaceship. And I like all the dinosaurs. Peter is so cute. 

After Abi was home from school, I took Peter with me to go pick tomatoes at my sister's house. I got three big bowls of delicious garden fresh tomatoes. Peter wasn't much help, but we'll pretend he was.

Peter has taken up sleeping in Wesley's bed, and when he's up there he doesn't wake up crying during the night as much. 

Katharine still wakes me up. They both wake me up quite often, but it's ok, I love it. They are sweet little kids. 

Ok, so, it's November 24th and we are up at Park City for Thanksgiving. I had a goal to finally finish blogging September while we were up here, and this is my last post, yay! But I have a few other things about Peter that I wanted to share and this seems like a good place to put them, but they happened in October and November, so that's why I'm confessing that it is November, not September... 

So, like I was saying about Peter waking up during the night, when he's up on the loft bed he'll still wake up but usually Wesley is in there to tell him it's ok and to lay back down and sleep. But at 4:40 am on Halloween morning, Wesley was gone at hockey, and Peter woke up screaming. I went in there to help him and then afterwards I texted Wesley what he said. He woke up crying "Everyone!! Everyone!!" and I went and got him and he said "Everyone is not in this house!!!" as he cried. I said "We're here! Everyone is in bed sleeping." And he said "Everyone is here?" "Yes" "Is Wesley here?" "Oh, no, Wesley is gone at hockey..." (shoot! I wasn't trying to deceive you Peter! I wasn't expecting a direct question like that though) "I don't want Wesley go to hockey..." "Ok, I'll tell him..." and then Peter went willingly back to sleep on my floor, and I told him I'd text Wesley, so I did. His little voice is so cute. 

Then on another Monday, Nov 14th, Peter woke up at 5 am screaming "Mom!!! MOM!!!" I went into their room. Peter then states very calmly: "I need to tell you something important." "ok..." "I need to go to your room." I smiled and we went into my room. In my room, Peter says "Mom, something is happening..." "What?" I asked. "My blanket is not a square..." So I go to fix it and his knees are up and he proudly says "Look, my feets are mountains." He is a beautiful little boy. And I'm glad that I am able to function very well with little sleep, and that I'm a light sleeper and have been able to help kids with all their during-the-night problems. It's been helpful to my survival and probably theirs too. 

Stretching

Not much to report today. I was doing some stretching in my closet, and Peter likes to come help me reach further to the ground by getting in my back. 

I've got a cute monkey on my back! And he likes selfies. And phones. And if you let him use your phone, prepare for some grief when you try to get it back. 

Corey took kids to Fat Cats with Get Out Pass tonight (WSNODP). Abi was at GMS and Lily was babysitting for a neighbor. We haven't been taking advantage of it as well this time, and we're not going to renew it for next year. It's still a good deal, but you have to use it, obviously, and I haven't been doing that with my nursing baby, and Corey's been busy at work, so it's ok, but yeah, we'll won't be getting it again. But it's been great for the times we go. They went bowling tonight and then played video games and other stuff to get tokens. 

They came home with treats and disappearing ink and other dollar store-ish junk. 

Butterfly Report: I released one female monarch butterfly. We're down to 6 chrysalides and 15 caterpillars. After I picked up Abi from the bus, after she got home from GMS, I drove to the Sandy Ampitheater and picked some milkweed pods that I have been eyeing for a while on some milkweed along the path there. I'm excited to plant a lot and hope we have a great milkweed harvest next year! 

Pocket Pants

Today was one of my favorite days, because it was a day when kids don't have school! Yay! Abi and Lily stayed home cause it was the end of the term. Kids at home = I can go on a ride! Corey and I went to Corner Canyon, parked at Potato Hill, did Ann's west for an hour long drive. It was fun. 

Yesterday after church, Peter showed me all the stuff that he had in his pockets. 

I thought it was such a fun collection of lego parts and tiny toys and it all screams "cute little boy". He had of legos: two chicken drumsticks, two different guns, two dinosaur legs, two dinosaur forearms, a star wars trooper, some lego plant leaves, a few pieces of space ships, a propellor, and of other toys and knick nacks: a penny, marble, tiny Mater Tow Truck and tiny Dinoco and a train freight piece. 

It was cute cause he pulled them out one by one, looked at them approvingly as if he was thinking "Oh yeah, that's a good thing to keep in my pocket..." and would pull out another with an equally pleased nod. He likes his church pants cause they have two pockets, his dinosuar knee pants, they've got two side pockets too, and his gray pants are especially cool cause they have a pocket in the front left leg shin area. 

Peter also said something that was really cute today. Sophi walked by him before school and Peter said "Sophi, you smell pretty!" then paused... followed by "I smell ugly..." That made me laugh, which he never likes (see story half way through this post about our Willow Lake hike), so he promptly chastised me with a "It's not funny!!!"

Natalie and Sophi had their violin lesson virtually today because Natalie is feeling a bit sick. After that was done (via facetime on my phone) they always keep my phone since it is unlocked and do stuff without permission until I remember to take it back. Here's a rare picture of me taken by a kid at that moment - kissing our favorite baby face. 

Corey played with the kids out on the trampoline tonight for FHE. I'll upload a pic later if he sends some to me. 

Butterfly report: We released one male yesterday and another male today. It's been such a fun summer. Things are winding down. I have 7 chrysalis left, one of them will probably emerge tomorrow, and my last 15 caterpillars that are all in their last instar now. I ordered a new Monarch Life mesh cage that arrived yesterday- it definitely looks more professional than my set up before of sticks, rocks, and cardboard boxes. 

Now I have a mesh cage that zips up, nice! Plus floral tubes to hold the milkweed, and floral tube holders. It will probably hold 10-15 large caterpillars, so we'll see how many I get next year and if I order more or if I just use the set up that I made earlier this summer (2nd to last pic).

It's nice to not worry about them when they're all safely zipped inside.

Backyard Picnic

Today was a perfectly lovely "beginning of fall" day. The kids had a little picnic this afternoon in the backyard. 

I think Lily set that up for everyone.

Daniel was there for a bit but then he went across the street for a birthday party for a neighbor - 

Natalie with a butterfly this evening around 5pm - it emerged late in the day! 

In the summer they almost always eclose in the morning, so I was a little worried for this one, but it's ok and good. A lovely female - 

And here's MY lovely little female! Katharine! I love her chubby legs!

And chubby cheeks and chin!

She's just heaven. Katharine asleep this morning - 

Life is wonderful. I haven't been our riding much this week, but Corey goes every day, which is great. We did take a ride together yesterday out at Corner Canyon, but I really wanted to get out today too, but it's a little tricky in the morning cause we have to get Abi to the bus for GMS. So I really tried to make it happen this evening and I'm pleased to say that I succeeded. Corey was at his parent's house working on stuff, but I saw my chance and took it, I left the kids with Katharine and I started kinda late so I knew it would be dark before I would be able to finish, so I decided to just keep going up and I called Corey (via Siri) as I rode and the timing worked out for Corey to leave his parents and pick me up at the top right when it was really too dark to see, but I made it up! Go me. Not bad for a mom with an almost 4 month old! :) It was great. Life is good. 

Fall is Here!

Yesterday was the first day of autumn! Hooray! The older kids (jr high and high school) didn't have school this morning, so Corey and I went to Corner Canyon for a bike ride. Corey below on our way across the Draper Alpine road ~

We did Coyote Trailhead up to Potato Hill and then across Ann's....

...to Peakview over to Ghost Falls. We did the Rush the End part twice. The pic below was just before the Silica Pit on our way back up. Sigh, it was just heavenly.

So gorgeous!

Can't wait to come back tomorrow and next week! Biking makes it a little easier and faster to get up and enjoy the mountains. I love it so much, totally fills my cup. 

Caterpillars are good. I've got 15 left. I thought these three were super cute, all eating the same side of a leaf together!

This one eating a window for himself to see through - 

Caterpillar season is almost done, and then I can get back to cleaning. Although household chores aren't going anywhere. No rush, the dishes will always be waiting! My sink this morning...

Most of these dishes have been waiting patiently for me for over 24 hours! Abi and I actually did clean most all of the main floor today. Katharine cried for quite a bit for Abi while we were on our ride, and she must have used up all her energy cause she took a crazy long nap! And that was helpful cause Abi and I were able to clean and clean without any feeding interruptions. I mostly did dishes, Abi did picking up and vacuuming, I cleaned glass and windows. I'm sure tomorrow no one will be able to tell how clean it was for a brief moment today, and that's all right. For date night, Corey and I went out to dinner at Aubergine in Sugarhouse (where Mel used to work). It was delicious! It helped that Corey and I had both skipped lunch today. I'm doing good making friends with hunger. I actually love feeling hungry, since I know that I'm not going to die and there is a ton of food all around me for when I'm ready. And when I get to eat and satisfy that hunger with a delicious meal, like tonight, it's just really enjoyable! Going to head to bed now so I can get Abi up for the bus to GMS before I leave for my morning ride. 

Rainbows and Butterflies

Yesterday around 4:55, we had one of the brightest rainbows I've seen! It wasn't as tall and didn't last as long as the best rainbow we've seen in 2018, but the one today was a double and it was bright and so GORGEOUS. I was in awe. 

Zooming in a little - 

And a better picture of their cute faces - 

Rainbows are so amazing!!! Like WHO THINKS OF THAT?!?!?! If you were up in heaven trying to brainstorm some things that should be included on planet earth, how would you come up with an idea like that? I told my kids once to just try and imagine if there were 5 seasons instead of 4, what would the 5th season be and what would be some things that would happen during it. I can't come up with anything more incredible than what already is. That whole "Stand Forever" talk by Lawrence Corbridge is amazing, but just listen from 21:52 if you're pressed for time. There are miracles all around, and it's crazy amazing, from fall rainbows to autumn leaves, from monarch butterflies to snow, to the human heart, birth, and life!

My heart is full of awe and wonder at this glorious earth. Yesterday we had one monarch emerge, and the van was done and was on my way to pick it up and turn in my rental vehicle (goodbye Chevy Traverse! sniff) and I had the thought to take the butterfly to my friend Megan. It's hard to know how much to reach out, but I just sent a text to let her know that I was going to drop something off, and then I got it ready, and took it and one chrysalis over to their house. She texted back that she wasn't there but their housekeeps were, so she said the door should be open. I left a live butterfly and one chrysalis on a table for them and she sent me some pictures today of them smiling at this wonder of nature. "So so so fun <3 We let them go today after the storm passed" 

I thought of taking it to them for two reason. One being that Connor had a tatoo of a butterfly - this was on display at his funeral was on September 13th. 

He actually got a tattoo of a female monarch (I'm glad he knew the difference!) Megan just got the first image that she found online and she didn't know the difference. Megan told Corey a few weeks ago, before Connor passed, that Lizzy (their other child that died) had appeared to Connor in a dream and told him some things that he should do, like go on a mission, and that he got the tattoo after that to always remember her. Megan said that her kids often see a butterfly when Lizzy is near, even in winter time. I think I'll take them some milkweed too so that they can hopefully always have butterflies in their yard! 

A few more butterfly things - we've had some crazy wind and I've been trying to keep my caterpillars outside so that they can tell by the temperature and sun that they need to migrate, but the wind kinda freaks me out and so I'm constantly checking on them. The wind almost blew them over the other night. We were reading scriptures when it happened, I was holding Katharine, and I paniced when I saw the milkweed fall - I handed Katharine over to some kid, I don't remember who, I just shoved her over and said "Hold this!" as I ran outside. "THIS?!?!" they all said in joking shock - that is how you speak about your child? "Hold this"? I might never live that down. But the caterpillars were all still hanging on to their milkweed after that last night. I had one that fell yesterday, but some quilt batting that I got from a neighbor Terry saved his life. I've got their milkweed held down by lots of rocks and it's secure, but then again, the wind has blown over empty garbage cans before! Tonight one of the caterpillars that I thought was making it's j-hook, just disappeared. I worried it was blown off but I didn't find it on the ground or anywhere, I looked and looked, so I don't know. It will be nice to not worry about them once "caterpillar season" ends. Corey asked me that on Sunday in a moment of frustration ~ "When does caterpillar season end?" He's been very patient with me! We have a shared "to do" list on our phones and he put one of my tasks as "Save the monarchs from extinction", which was nice.